As we arrived at the stadium, we left to go our separate ways for the morning as we both had plenty of work to get done for the upcoming match. Knowing how aggressive Puddlemere was at our last match, I tried to be as prepared as possible for whatever injuries may occur. Our full team needed to be in the air at full physical form for this game and I knew I wouldn't be able to let my guard down for a minute.

I was headed to my office at the stadium to put a few more things away before doing the pregame physicals when I ran into a familiar head of messy black hair.

"Harry!" I wrapped my arms around my best friend.

"Hey Hermione. I have a ticket, but would you mind if I watch the game with you instead?"

I shake my head, smiling from ear to ear. "Of course not! Where's James?"

"Brought him to mum's it's still pretty late for him to be out."

"I understand. How are the two of you dealing with Ginny being gone so much the last few days?" Having Harry here was a wonderful distraction for the ball of nerves coiling in my stomach.

He shrugged. "I understand her passion. I know what she gave up to have kids. When she first asked me about being an alternate, I was apprehensive, but I can't keep her from her dreams. We decided that it was a good compromise. Alternates aren't ever a full season position. I can deal with her having a hectic schedule for a few weeks or even a month or two while she fills in. It's the constant traveling while I am forced to stay back because of my own career that would have been challenging for us. This opportunity has been great for her actually because it's less than a week."

"What if they go to the World Cup?"

His face beamed. "There is no way I would ever stand in her way for that. While the training is intense, we are close enough to the stadium for her to apparate and it's just the one game. She would still be home for breakfast in the morning and dinner at night. It's actually the best-case scenario how this happened."

"And I bet if they make it to the World Cup that would do a lot to make her feel satisfied with giving up her career early."

There was a softness in his eyes. "You know her so well. I know that having a family came with many sacrifices for her. Playing again has helped her overcome some emotional leftovers from giving up her position."

Wrapping my hands around Harry, I squeezed again. "We can talk more during the game, but I have a few more things to get ready."

"Of course. Go do your thing and I'll see you down there."

We parted ways and I continued on. I triple checked that everything was in its place before heading to the locker room to make sure everyone was in good form. Oliver caught my eye as he was giving his pregame pep talk and winked at me. I could hear that he was using some of the advice I gave him this morning. It was nice to see him relax a little before a game. He still stressed what needs to happen to win, but he's so much more relaxed today than I was used to seeing him before a game.

As the team started to filter out, Oliver ran back to me where I was still packing up the last of my things.

"Thank you." He kissed me hard and before I can ask what for, he ran off to catch up with the rest of the team.

I hurried to my office where Harry was waiting. "Are you as nervous as I am?" He asked.

"Maybe more. There's the excitement and hope that they win, but I'm working too. I don't get to enjoy the game quite as much. I need to be on the lookout to see if anyone is displaying signs of injury and to focus on the game as a whole."

"Sounds stressful."

"It can be. Sometimes it's more than others. The last time we played Puddlemere, they were incredibly aggressive and there were a lot of injuries. I know the team is more prepared for that this time around, but I'm definitely on guard."

Before he could respond, the whistle blew and the game began. My eyes were glued to the players, traveling from one end of the pitch to the other. I wanted to focus on Oliver and root him on exclusively, but this team had become my family and I cared about them all. Watching them play today was a thing of beauty. I'd even go so far as to compare them to a dance. Puddlemere played just as aggressive as last time, but the Arrows weren't having any of it. They dodged their attempts to knock them down expertly. Ginny played like she has been a part of the team forever and her lithe grace on a broom was incredible. I wish I had been able to make it to more of her games when she played professionally.

The announcers were having a hard time keeping up as the game was moving so fast, but the Arrows were playing in tandem and their score rose quickly.

"Puddlemere sees the snitch." Harry whispered in my ear.

I grabbed his hand a squeezed it hard as I saw their seeker making a dive. We were only 20 points ahead. We needed to get another 100 points AND catch the snitch otherwise we win the British league, but we miss out on going to the World Cup. Alvarez sees it too and takes the opportunity to launch a bludger headed in the Puddlemere seeker's direction. It's a direct hit. The scrawny man spun around on his broom a few times and when he stopped, he was visibly disoriented. The snitch was nowhere to be seen.

I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding. Part of me wanted to bury my face in Harry's shoulder and ask him to tell me when it was over, but I still had my own part to play here. The game continued. Puddlemere is clearly shook by the easy confidence our team is displaying. Their game unraveled and as a result they become sloppy and easy to predict.

Two hours later, the game was still in full swing, but we were up by 250 points. The snitch has been particularly elusive today as it had barely been glimpsed since the last attempt to catch it hours ago. We were in a good position and if we could catch it now, we'd win.

Harry pointed suddenly. "Watch Haskel."

I did and it's subtle, but I saw what he did. Howard had his eye trained on something in the distance. He was tracking the movements of the snitch farther down the pitch. It was moving closer to him, but his opponent was a bit too close and the snitch too far to make a move just yet. Timing needed to be perfect.

Howard made eye contact with Murphy and gave a bit of a nod before finding the snitch again. Murphy got the hint and launched a bludger at the opposing seeker. As he did that, Howard took off and closed his fingers around the snitch. It happened so quickly and the teamwork it took was beautiful to watch.

The stadium erupted as Howard threw his fist in the air. My hand goes to my mouth. They did it! We're going to the world cup!

As everyone was cheering and the team is making their way down to the field below, the Puddlemere captain comes barreling for Oliver. I tried to warn him, but I was too late. He was almost to the ground when he took the impact from behind knocking him off his broom. He landed hard enough that I swore I could hear the thud above the screaming crowd.

The other player didn't let the impact slow him down as he hopped off his own broom and began to beat Oliver.

I rushed toward the field, my heart racing. We had made it to the end of the game without any major injuries. Why this arsehole would decide to start beating on Oliver now was mind boggling.

The other players realized the commotion and rushed to Oliver's aide. He was lying on the ground in a protective position, refusing to hit back.

The attacker was pulled off Oliver just as I reached him. He uncurled at my request and my eyes roamed over his body checking for any obvious injuries. I brushed some hair off his face and he groaned at my touch.

"I could have done without that last bit."

I let out a nervous laugh. If he was joking, he likely wasn't too badly injured.

I was about to begin assessing his injuries when his hand wrapped around my neck and pulled my face to his. I wanted to protest, to make sure he was ok, but he had such determination as he locked lips with mine that it was difficult to resist. Oblivious to what was going on around us, I allowed him to take the kiss he so desperately needed from me.

He finally let up, but didn't allow much space so I rest my forehead against his as he spoke. "We did it and that was fucking beautiful."

His eyes glistened and I can't tell if it was from pain or if he was that overcome with emotion from the game.

"You did and it was, but now let's get you fixed up before we go celebrate."

He agreed and I did an assessment. Thankfully, it was mostly bruises. He would be sore for a few days, but nothing was broken or dislocated. His face was spared too. I know he won't care, but there will be a lot of press over the next week and I'm sure he will appreciate not being photographed with a bruised and bloodied face when he looks back.

I helped him to his feet and the crowd went wild as he waved to show them he was ok. The team wasted no time surrounding us and shouting louder than the crowd as confetti rained down on top of us.